Murray Comments After First Round of 2012 NHL Draft

It was an active first round for Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray at the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh.

Murray began the night by acquiring a 2013 second round pick from the New York Islanders in exchange for veteran defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. He then took to the podium at Consol Energy Center, along with other team executives, and announced the selection of 18-year-old Swedish defenseman Hampus Lindholm with the sixth overall pick of this year's draft.

Shortly after the first round closed, Murray took some time out to discuss the day with local reporters via conference call. The following is a transcript:

I understand you all have been reading comments from Bobby and his father. I would just like to say I’m disappointed at this time by these comments. I intend to talk to Bobby personally when we get back from the draft and clear the air a little bit. That is all I have to say at this present time. I’d also like to thank Lubo for his years with the hockey team. He was a valuable member of the team and was a good player for us. At this point in time, we’re changing the direction of our team a little bit.

On the Visnovsky tradeHe has one year left and is going to be 36 years old. He’s an offensive defenseman. We have some younger players who are offensive. It’s a hockey move. We’re attempting to change a little bit of the look of the defense. It’s one step at a time. This is the first step in trying to change the look on that back end.

In no way, shape or form is this an attempt to move money. It’s an opportunity to spend that money elsewhere.

We’re moving on and changing the look of our hockey team. Last year, we gave them the opportunity when they made their little run. Then, after the trade deadline there was nothing. It’s time for some changes with some things. That is not a shot at any players in particular. There are some older players that we’re moving on. We’re going to bring some different people in.

On drafting LindholmThe scouts had seen him. I went in during February. I was going to see Viktor Fasth. I stopped in and saw the under-18 tournament up in Finland. I came away from there really impressed with this young man and so were our scouts. I went back in April. We’re very happy and delighted to have this young man. We think he is going to be a quality player for a long time.

His poise and he never changed no matter the situation or what happens. He really controlled the play. He’s a bigger body than some of the other guys.

We want him to play with Rogle next year. The young man played at the end of the year with the big team in the Elite League and played pretty well. We love the situation he is in. We’ll see where he is at this point in time next year and then make a decision what goes on from there.